Bridge the gap between the Western and Arab culture

The Nour project is a set of special voluntary projects in the Middle East and Northern Africa region. These projects fall under the Global Volunteer product, but offer more extensive preparation and reintegration trainings and seminars.

Where?

NGO or non-profit in the MENA region

How long?

6 to 8 weeks

Benefits?

Housing provided

The opportunity to bridge the gap

The Nour Project offers you a platform to share your experiences abroad and everything you’ve learned about the Arab culture. This reintegration program is set up to bridge the gap between the Arab and the Western culture. Nour offers you the chance to contribute to our main goal.

Learn about the Arab culture

In today’s society, we see a lot of Islamophobia: Intense dislike or fear of Islam and hostility or prejudice towards Muslims. Break through stereotypes as you discover the beauty of the Arab culture.

Push yourself out of your comfort zone

If you don’t try and experience new things, you’ll never find your full potential. Challenge yourself, and discover the best version of you.

Our service

Logistics Support

We ensure you get the right visa, arrival pick-up information before your experience and departure instructions post-experience.

Clear job description

We accompany you to the workplace on the first day, ensure your job description and goals are clear, and working hours/duration align to the initial description.

Safe living conditions

Life and health insurance is mandatory for taking part in AIESEC. You will get information about accommodation and basic living costs.

Learning experience

We set clear expectations, provide cultural preparation and facilitate learning spaces before and during experiences.

Our timeline

Preparation Program

The Preparation Programme takes place from November to December and March to June. In these months you’ll get several workshops, lectures and trainings given by various companies and experts. Workshops as creative writing from national geographic and a lecture about the Arabic Spring by NOS reporter Jan Eikelboom. The Preparation Programme will require 5 hours a week.

Project abroad

he Summer Project takes place between June and September, the Winter project takes place between January and February. Both the Winter and Summer Projects will be approximately 6-8 weeks.The project is an opportunity to completely dive into the Arab culture. You can select your own developmental project during the Preparation Programme and while abroad creating mutual understanding between cultures by writing blogs about your experience.

Reintegration Program

The Reintegration Project starts after you’ve finished your time abroad. Nour Participants share their learnings and knowledge in the Netherlands to create more understanding between the Arab and western culture. This will take place in the months September and October and for the Winter Project, March and April. Examples of activities are delivering presentations at a high school and in a mosque at the Arab Experience Evening for about 3 hours a week.

Rafael Uyttendaele in Jordan

“Through the students and peers I met during my stay, the Nour project gave me the possibility to get to know the MENA region in a completely different way. It was amazing to notice the similarities between each other, despite the different culture and background. A lot of problems, challenges and interests adolescents in Europe face, are also the things that really occupy the youth in Jordan. These new friends and the kindness and enthusiasm they had, while showing me their country and culture, really made my stay an amazing experience.”

Claartje Blessing in Egypt

“Stepping out of your comfort zone means exploring new adventures. For me going to Egypt was one of these things. Even though a city of 20 million people is overwhelming, in the evening, when the light starts to fade, there is so much beauty to come across. This experience, making friends, getting to know another culture and seeing a totally other side of the world was one of the best things I could’ve done.”

What will you gain?

Engage with all kinds of people towards achieving a purpose bigger than yourself. This is how you can empower others.

Volunteering abroad isn’t easy, but surpassing challenges is what makes it worth it. You learn how to be solution-oriented.

Making your contribution and seeing your impact in real-time will show you that you can indeed make a difference the world. Become that world citizen that’s needed more than ever.

Going beyond what you know opens up new worlds for you. Find your values, explore your passions, and become more self-aware.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the costs of the Nour project?

The fee to participate in the Nour Project is €299. Travel and living costs are at the student’s own expenses. The cost of living is generally lower than in the Netherlands, but this highly depends on the destination of the project.

Housing is most likely provided by the host country and organized by the local AIESEC committees. Nour participants usually stay in a host family and sometimes in student houses. Some host countries will require the Nour Participant to pay rent, but this will be established in the early stages of the program.

What can I expect from the selection procedure?

The selection for the Nour Project occurs in two rounds. In the first round, applicants are required to submit a motivation letter and a resume. In the second round, applicants will have individual interviews. Applicants will be provided with information to prepare for the selection should they be interested.

Is it safe to travel the MENA region?

We do not send participants to countries that are not safe. We have regular contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassies, and the local AIESEC organizations abroad to stay updated about safety. That said, participants must keep in mind that traveling to and within the MENA region is always at their own risk.

To which countries can I go?

The countries of destination vary every year. The countries are chosen based on safety, political stability, and the projects available in the summer.

What projects are available?

The projects are mainly developmental or cultural and vary year to year. Some examples include working at SOS Children’s Villages or working at a Human’s Rights office, or writing a local NGO’s business plan or teaching economics. The project is a way to immerse in the Arab culture by working with locals. The main goal of the Nour Project is to dive into the Arab culture and learn about previously unknown aspects of the culture, whereas the nature of the project is secondary.

AIESEC

AIESEC is a non-governmental not-for-profit organisation in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), affiliated with the UN DPI, member of ICMYO, and is recognized by UNESCO. AIESEC International is registered as a Foundation (Stichting), RSIN #807103895 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.